Lakers star Kobe Bryant (24) has become a fan of Klay Thompson’s work ethic.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Lakers star Kobe Bryant (24) has become a fan of Klay Thompson’s...

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Klay Thompson passes to David Lee in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Klay Thompson passes to David Lee in the first half. The Golden...

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David Lee of the Warriors tries to defend against Lakers' Pau Gasol in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

David Lee of the Warriors tries to defend against Lakers' Pau Gasol...

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Brandon Rush of the Warriors blocks a shot by Lakers' Matt Barnes in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Brandon Rush of the Warriors blocks a shot by Lakers' Matt Barnes...

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Brandon Rush drives for a basket in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Brandon Rush drives for a basket in the second half. The Golden...

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Warriors' rookie, Charles Jenkins dribbles past Lakers' Ramon Sessions, left, and Pau Gasol, right, in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Warriors' rookie, Charles Jenkins dribbles past Lakers' Ramon...

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Lakers Kobe Bryant, rear, and Matt Barnes, front, celebrate Kobe's basket in the closing seconds. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Lakers Kobe Bryant, rear, and Matt Barnes, front, celebrate Kobe's...

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Warriors' Mickell Gladness puts up a shot defended by Lakers' Andrew Bynum in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Warriors' Mickell Gladness puts up a shot defended by Lakers'...

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Warriors' Mickell Gladness fouls Lakers' Andrew Bynum in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Warriors' David Lee defends against Lakers' Andrew Bynum in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Warriors' David Lee defends against Lakers' Andrew Bynum in the...

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Warriors' Dominic McGuire, left, blocks a shot by Lakers' Ramon Sessions, center in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Warriors' Dominic McGuire, left, blocks a shot by Lakers' Ramon...

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Warriors' Dominic McGuire reacts to being called for a foul in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. The Lakers won 104-101.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Warriors' Dominic McGuire reacts to being called for a foul in the...

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Brandon Rush drives past Lakers' Steve Blake in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif,. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Thompson had 20 points in the Warriors' 104-101 loss to the Lakers at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night.

Since Ellis was traded to Milwaukee on March 13, Thompson has averaged 19.7 points (setting personal highs three times), 3.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds. In 38 games as Ellis' backup, Thompson averaged eight points, 1.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds.

More important than the rising numbers is Thompson's approach. The laid-back Southern California kid rarely speaks in the Warriors' locker room. Put a future Hall of Fame shooting guard in his presence, however, and Thompson perks right up with questions to spare.

He arrived at Oracle Arena hours early for a game this month so he could pick the brain of Boston's Ray Allen. Thompson took notes about how to carry himself off the court, and he has started to change his diet while living alone in an Oakland condo.

When Chris Mullin and Rick Barry were in town last week, Thompson learned about Mullin's work ethic and Barry's desire to not have back-to-back poor shooting games.

Thompson responded after a 10-point effort against Houston on Thursday with 31 points against Sacramento two nights later.

When Kobe Bryant went through his pregame rituals before Tuesday's game, Thompson mirrored every move on the other end of the court. Then Bryant taught the rookie an in-game lesson, outscoring Thompson 30-20.

"Monta left some big shoes to fill, but I know I'm not trying to replace Monta," Thompson said. "I don't feel any pressure because we're two totally different players. I'm trying to go out there and play my game within the flow of the offense.

"I'm not trying to score in bunches, and trying to score 40 a game. I'm just trying to play efficiently, play smartly and get my teammates involved."

Because Thompson speaks so seldom and uses a quiet, monotone voice when he does muster a phrase or two, it's easy to miss his confidence. But Jackson says Thompson "thinks he's the baddest dude in the gym," and if you listen closely, he'll say it.

Asked if he was the best shooter on the team, Thompson said, "Yeah. At least, I'd like to find out." Asked if he belonged in the rookie-sophomore game during the All-Star break, he said, "Yeah. I feel like I'm as good as any of those guys."

Thompson's teammates have taken an extra interest in the No. 11 overall pick. They're trying to get him to talk more, but in the meantime, they're simply feeding him the ball more and more.

"Klay really is one of the best shooters I've ever seen," seventh-year guard Nate Robinson said. "If you want to pad your assist numbers, you just pass it to Klay."

Thompson is knocking down 43 percent of his three-pointers, but he has done much more than shoot for the Warriors.

His knowledge of the game and size allow him to be an annoying defender who's almost always in the right spot. And he looks just as comfortable slashing into the lane and setting up a teammate as he does curling off a screen for a jumper.

"Everything he does already is what you try to teach young, '2' guards coming into this league," Jackson said. "He competes, he loves the game and he knows the game.

"I knew right away, and the scary part is: He's gotten even better. He isn't satisfied, he (couldn't) care less what people think, and he's playing with great confidence. His future is awfully bright."

Game review

Key player: Swingman Brandon Rush came off the bench for 23 points on a night in which David Lee and Klay Thompson were a combined 18-for-46.

Key stat: The Warriors tied their franchise low with five turnovers, originally set March 30, 2005, against Milwaukee.

Key stretch: Lee gave the Warriors their first lead of the game with a 10-foot turnaround jumper that made it 97-95 with 1:22 remaining. Kobe Bryant made back-to-back jumpers, sandwiched around a Thompson shot that was blocked by Metta World Peace, to put the Lakers back ahead 99-97 with 32.3 seconds left.

Key quote: "If you looked at our starting lineups, it'd probably be safe to say that the Lakers would drill us. But I've got a bunch of guys who compete, get after it, work hard and have tremendous character and pride."

- Mark Jackson, Warriors head coach

Of note: Bryant scored his 29,283rd point with the Lakers, passing Michael Jordan for second all-time with one franchise. Karl Malone is No. 1 with 36,374 points for Utah.

- Rusty Simmons

Guard matchup

The Lakers' Kobe Bryant (37 minutes) and the Warriors' Klay Thompson (38) played almost an equal amount of time at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night. Here are some of their key stats: